The Pros And Cons Of Euthanasia

From terminal cancer to chronic illnesses, for centuries people have been suffering in their everyday life. On average 55% of terminally ill patients die in pain ; morning to night, struggling with unbearable pain, loss of life, and all while facing their imminent death. Already controlled by a disease, they decide to control what little life they have left. Euthanasia or physician assisted suicide has been one of the most questionable topics on both a political and personal level. This essay will discuss whether it is morally permissible to actively aid in euthanasia. For years, euthanasia or physician assisted suicide has been one of society’s biggest moral battles. Is it okay to end someone’s life that is terminally ill? Who defines how

Euthanasia can be broken down into two categories, passive euthanasia (PE), which is standing idly by while someone who is terminally ill or wounded suffers and dies, and active euthanasia (AE), where the patient is injected with a lethal dosage or physician assisted suicide. Active euthanasia can also be a prescribed medication that is orally administered by the physician or by the patient. Physician assisted suicide is legal in these five states, California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, D.C., and Montana. Coupled with restrictions, each state provides these guidelines in which a patient must abide by. The patient must be at least 18 years of age, capable of making and communicating heath care decisions for themselves, be diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six months or less confirmed by two licensed physicians, providing proof of residency in those states, have two oral request from the physician (15 days apart), as well as a written request from the physician. Once all the guidelines have been accomplished, some are faced with a horrid price tag. One dosage of secobarbital (brand name Seconal) prescribed under Death with Dignity laws costs $3,000 to